Proud Sussex soldier shares medal honour with grandfather

Lance Corporal Tom Webb, who went to school and college in Worthing, received his Afghanistan service medal on completing a six-month tour of duty with the 14th Signal Regiment.

And among those watching proudly in the large crowd at St David’s, Pembrokeshire, as the soldiers marched through the tiny cathedral city, was his grandfather Dennis Webb, 77, who was wearing his Suez medal, awarded after he saw action there while he was on National Service in 1956.

Tom’s parents, Alan and Pam, grandmother Julie and fiancée Kate Edwards also enjoyed the homecoming parade in a city centre square. The regiment suffered no losses on this tour.

St David’s mayor Stephanie Halse told the crowd: “We extend a very warm welcome to our returning servicemen and women and their family and friends who have joined with us today, having just returned from an arduous six months in Helmand and Kandahar.

“We are very proud of you and honour your achievements.

“We salute you and welcome you home.”

Tom, from Littlehampton, joined up just over three years ago, and was posted to Afghanistan in March this year.

While on tour, he spent most of his time away from the main British military base of Camp Bastion at various forward operating bases (FOBs), working in a small unit and living in very rough conditions.

“We were quite a long way out, on checkpoints and patrol bases.

“Mostly it was fairly quiet, but we had a few busy days. There was some interaction with the Afghan people.

“We had meals with them. I didn’t pick up any resentment among them over us being there.”

Until joining up, Tom had lived in Littlehampton for most of his life, attending St Catherine’s RC Primary School, Chatsmore RC High School in Goring and then Northbrook College, Worthing, studying for a graphic design degree before deciding it was not for him and that he preferred the excitement of the Army.

Tom has has a few weeks more on leave before returning to his base in Wales.